Dietary supplements recommended, used by pharmacists

WASHINGTON — Pharmacists have become a go-to source for information about dietary supplements and also offer recommendations to patients, according to a study conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

According to the CRN’s "Life…supplemented Healthcare Professionals Impact Study," 93% of pharmacists recommend supplements to their customers, while 87% believe that supplements can play an important role in improving or maintaining the health of their customers.

Pharmacists surveyed said that they recommend dietary supplements to patients based on such conditions as joint health (65%), bone health (61%) and flu and colds (51%). When it came to which supplements pharmacists most often were asked about, the top three mentioned by respondents were omega-3/fish oil (mentioned by 73%), calcium (73%) and glucosamine/chondroitin (70%).

What’s more, nearly 9-in-10 pharmacists (86%) incorporated dietary supplements into their lives. Among them, 44% cited “overall health and wellness” and 40% cited “filling in nutrient gaps” as the top two reasons they personally take dietary supplements.

“Pharmacists are able to help consumers choose the types of supplements that are right for their individual wellness plan,” said Douglas MacKay, CRN VP scientific and regulatory affairs and a consultant to the “Life…supplemented” consumer wellness initiative. “A pharmacist’s training specifically qualifies him or her to take a comprehensive look at an individual’s current prescribed medications and determine if any potential drug-dietary supplement interactions or drug-induced nutrient depletions may need to be addressed. To maximize benefits and safety, it is important to talk to a pharmacist or other qualified healthcare practitioner about all the things you are taking for your health.”

Reckitt Benckiser looks to ‘thrill’ consumers

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Reckitt Benckiser on Tuesday announced the launch of Urban Thrill, an online free runner-themed game available on RB.com for free.

The game allows users to mimic the fast-paced, risk-taking and dynamic environment of the consumer packaged goods company by completing free runner challenges across nine countries. The launch of Urban Thrill is a significant component of RB’s corporate brand campaign, the company stated, which was designed to create awareness among graduates and people early on in their business careers.

Free running is a form of urban acrobatics in which participants, known as free runners, use the city and rural landscape to perform athletic movements through its structures.

The game allows a global team of free runners to complete challenges over nine of the world’s most dynamic urban settings, including cities throughout Europe, Brazilian cities in South America and cities in the United States in North America.

The game and characters will be branded with RB and its 19 Powerbrands, including Lysol, Finish, Durex, Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, French’s and Clearasil.

The game concept was developed in partnership with The Workroom and viral game and social media specialists Tamba, who also designed and built the game. They used free running professionals as official consultants.

"Urban Thrill is a dynamic online game [that] takes the essence of the Arts of Movement and applies that same spirit as a metaphor to describe what it’s like to work at RB — a unique and trail-blazing company with fantastic brands that provides an inspiring work environment of self-expression and tenacity to all of its employees each day," Brendan Riley, free runner ambassador from EMP Parkour, said.

The game builds on past successes of a number of RB’s social media initiatives. Last year’s success of the "poweRBrands" game on Facebook showcased how social media games are a great way to raise corporate brand awareness among graduates and early careerists. The game enabled players to work in a consumer goods company and rise to become global president. Urban Thrill can be found on RB.com/UrbanThrill.

"RB has a unique culture that’s most suitable for adventurous young professionals who enjoy freedom to act, coupled with a fast-paced and agile environment," stated Rob de Groot, RB’s EVP North America and Australia. "Our decision to use an extreme sport like free running to capture the essence of working at RB underscores our desire to showcase the spirit of our corporate culture in a fun way. To continue our rapid global growth, we’re always looking for ways to increase brand awareness among the next generation of young professionals."

InhalerWear introduces pediatric asthma compliance tool

BOSTON — InhalerWear on Tuesday announced its launch of a neoprene cover for inhalers that will help make carrying around an inhaler “trendy and cool” to children and teenagers. The new inhaler can be clipped to a backpack, purse or belt loop.

"We started InhalerWear because we knew the challenge facing parents was not in getting their kids to use their inhaler, but to get them to carry their inhalers with them at all times,” stated co-founder Rob Fiore.

"This product is a one-of-a-kind, must-have item for those who carry a rescue inhaler,” added Kimberly Mastrullo, InhalerWear director of operations. “There’s nothing in the marketplace today like our patented neoprene inhaler cover.”

InhalerWear holds the exclusive patent to the inhaler covers and offers them for purchase at InhalerWear.com for $7.99. Nearly 10% of all children suffering from asthma, InhalerWear noted, and children and teenagers present a unique problem given their age and the issue of needing to fit in during adolescence. Many children forget, lose or just don’t comply with their parents to keep their inhalers with them during afterschool activities or other times when their parents aren’t present to carry the inhalers for them.

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